Menopause refers to the end of a woman's menstrual cycle. Typically starting in the 40s or 50s, women lose the ability to produce eggs, which causes estrogen (oestrogen) levels to drop and monthly menstruation to cease.

Menopause is a natural part of women's health, but there are many menopause treatments that mitigate or reduce problems associated with the condition.

What are the Symptoms of Menopause?

Most well-known menopause symptoms begin before menopause itself. This is known as perimenopause, which begins in the months or years leading up to menopause. No two women are the same, but some common perimenopause and menopause symptoms include:

Very few women enter menopause immediately after their last menstrual cycle. Instead, most women experience a gradual cessation of periods as they enter menopause. Menopause symptoms become more apparent during this transition period. After 12 months of missed periods, menopause begins.

What Causes Menopause?

For most women, menopause occurs naturally. This happens due to a reduction of hormone production, specifically of estrogen (oestrogen) and progesterone. These hormones regulate menstruation and fertility; when at low or nonexistent levels symptoms emerge and menstruation stops.

There is no specific age where menopause begins, but for most women it occurs between the ages 40 and 50.

Menopause Treatment

Menopause is a natural part of aging, but its side-effects and symptoms make life difficult. Menopause treatment is designed to help menopausal women overcome problems like hot flashes (hot flushes), weight gain, and low sex drive. Some of the most common types of menopause treatment include:

The best menopause treatment will vary depending on the individual woman. What is right for one woman may not be right for all. Similarly, the cost of menopause treatment depends on which treatment is performed.